The underlined words are hyperlinks - if you press Ctrl + click on them it takes you to a relevant website to further inform your prayers. The document attached at the foot of the page can be downloaded and printed out if you want to.
MARCH PRAYER PAGE “Your will be done”
We continue our monthly journey through the Lord’s Prayer with the fourth line: “Your will done” (NB: “Your kingdom come” will be our focus in May). Use this phrase to inspire your prayer on the suggested topics. Consider how God’s will might be done in and through the people and situations we are praying for.
War in Iran - It’s very difficult to see God’s will being done in the Middle East right now but let us persevere in prayer that those in power may exercise restraint and seek a way towards peace that for that land. Here is the Church of England’s prayer for Iran, written by the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, herself born in Iran:
Ever-loving God,
who hears us in our anguish and distress,
and longs for us to be free.
We pray for the people of Iran and the wider Middle East,
at this time of fear and uncertainty.
Be near to those who are anxious;
bring comfort to all who are suffering.
Guide those with the power to make decisions,
and lead them in the ways of wisdom, compassion and moderation:
that people of goodwill would seek harmony and reconciliation.
Join us with our Christian brothers and sisters in all places,
in praying for peace with justice,
through him who is the prince of peace,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
See also this request for prayer from the Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, one of our link dioceses.
We continue to pray God’s comfort and blessing on all who mourn at this time thinking of:
• the family and friends of our dear brother in Christ Alan Steel as we prepare to celebrate his life on 12th March. We give thanks with Lizzi for his dedication to serving our church and community here.
• the family of Pat Keeley following her funeral here last month.
• our vicar Mark and his family after the recent funeral of his mother.
We pray the collect for Lent: Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Draw Near is the Church of England’s theme for Lent this year with daily reflections available on the Everyday Faith app. Almighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings, and by following in his Way come to share in his glory.
- Every Thursday in Lent – Pray for those attending our Lent Course, which this year is on the theme of The Wilderness. May all who attend find fresh hope and a deeper relationship with God.
Loving Lord, we lift to You those known to us who are suffering in body, mind, heart and spirit. Grant wisdom to all seeking to bring relief, surround those in need with support and encouragement, and intervene, we pray, with the healing, strength and peace Your Holy Spirit alone can bring.
This month’s specific prompts for prayer are:
- 2nd - 6th March – Keswick Bible Convention at Sidmouth – Lord God, we pray your blessing on this Annual Bible Week and on the speakers, Andrew Ollerton and Helen Miller. May all who come find refreshment in your Word, joy in worshipping together and return home built up in their faith.
3rd March – On World Wildlife Day we give thanks for the wonder of God’s creation and pray for the protection and preservation of plants that provide habitats enabling creatures around the world to flourish.
3rd March – Please pray for the Quinquennial Inspection of Tipton Church building taking place today that any issues found can be addressed quickly and economically to secure God’s house here for the benefit of the community here now and for generations to come.
6th March – World Day of Prayer this year is led by the Christian women of Nigeria on the theme ‘I will give you rest, come’ taken from Matthew 11:28. Please join in this global wave of prayer asking that God’s will be done in and through his Church wherever it may be.
8th March – On International Women’s Day we pray for a gender equal world, free of bias, stereotypes, discrimination and abuse. One that is diverse, equitable, inclusive and safe, where difference is valued and celebrated, with women empowered to live as God has made them.
9th March – On the National COVID-19 Day of Reflection we remember in prayer those who lost their lives and stand together with those who are still grieving and those still living with the aftereffects. We pray too that as the hearings phase of the UK Covid-19 inquiry concludes this month the final outcome may see changes in our national and global pandemic response that may save many lives in the future.
11th March – Pray for our Deanery Synod meeting in Feniton Church and for Bishop Moira as she leads an interactive session on “Growing in Prayer”. As the Synod reaches the end of its 3-year cycle give thanks for all the current parish reps, including our reps David Bowyer and Becky, and pray for the upcoming appointment of new reps.
15th March – Mothering Sunday – Loving God, we thank you for the women who have mothered us, nurtured us, comforted us, cherished us and believed in us throughout our lives. Show us how to cultivate the good fruit they helped produce in us, so that their legacy will carry on. Amen.
22nd March – The focus for this year’s World Water Day is on gender equality. 1.8 billion people still do not have drinking water on-premises, and in two out of three households, women and girls are primarily responsible for water collection.
25th March – The Installation of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury – Almighty and everlasting Father, we pray your blessing on the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally as she is enthroned today in Canterbury Cathedral. Grant her the wisdom and stamina she needs to lead your church at this time, that she may ever seek to do your will. Amen.
28th March – Earth Hour, marked at 8.30pm on this day, is a time to switch off our lights in symbolic support for our planet and raise aware-ness of the environmental issues that affect it. May our contribution be to pray for the future of our planet and those affected by our choices.
16th-22nd March – In Debt Awareness Week pray for those experiencing shame and stigma for being in debt – may they get the support and understanding they need. Pray for the work of charities in this field such as Christians Against Poverty.
25th March – The Annunciation of our Lord – O Lord, pour your grace into our hearts we pray, that as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
29th March – Palm Sunday – True and humble king, hailed by the crowd as Messiah: grant us the faith to know you and love you, that we may be found beside you on the way of the cross, which is the path of glory. Amen.
31st March – Please pray for the Quinquennial Inspection of Venn Ottery Church building taking place today. We know that are potentially serious issues to address – grant the PCC wisdom as it seeks the best way forward for both the building and the local community.
As a parish we continue to pray for Caroline Poultney as she follows the Diocesan discernment process with a view towards candidacy for the Exeter Ordination Pathway, a form of local ordination. We thank God for her current ministry amongst us and ask his blessing on her future ministry whatever shape that may take.
This month please pray for the residents of The Orchard, Mallocks Close, Barton Orchard and Barton Rise.